Juan-Carlos Torres is the archetypal Vacheron Constantin man. As
the 250-year-old watch firm makes its Indian debut, Torres speaks
to Verve about all things Vacheron and why we should all
own one

Juan-Carlos
Torres, 50-year-old CEO, owns a Porsche 911 Carrera S, an MGA and two
classic Austin Healeys. He regularly takes part in the Porsche Cup,
loves good food, Mozart and spending time with his two sons.

Excerpts from the conversation....The essence of Vacheron Constantin: "Clean,
smooth, classic. Like the Patrimony Extra-Plate (1955), which houses
the thinnest movement in the world (1.64 mm). The Patrimony featured
in design anthology Phaidon Design Classics as one of the most iconic
design objects of the 20th century along with the likes of the Apple
iPod (2001), Le Corbusier's LC4 chaise longue (1928) and the 1963 Aston
Martin DB5."

The Vacheron man: "The Vacheron
man has a different sensibility. He appreciates technique and aesthetics
but he is not a snob. He knows that each Vacheron watch takes time to
conceive and design and appreciates the techniques in the process."

The Indian connection: "The
royals - including the Maharaja of Patiala - were big customers. After
our first boutique in Delhi, we plan to hit Mumbai as well. We have
an exclusive service centre in Delhi with two watchmakers trained in
Switzerland. Indian men, I think, prefer classical designs, while the
women are more open to innovations."

On the art of watchmaking:
"There are no written texts on watchmaking; it is still an oral tradition.
Watchmakers actually have a wonderful time. Imagine going all over the
world, to the great cities, in search of modern influences…and then
combining them with tradition."